AFTER a six-year ordeal that cost him his career and led to financial ruin whistleblower Martin Morton has finally come to a settlement with his former employers.

Wirral Council has reached agreement over an undisclosed sum to try to recompense Mr Morton for the calamitous consequences he suffered after exposing a social services scandal.

The authority nowadays happily acknowledges the vital service Mr Morton performed in shining a light on the wrong-doers and bringing to an end a prolonged period when vulnerable care home tenants were being systematically "ripped-off."

But back in 2008, far from being applauded, Mr Morton was victimised, bullied and harassed out his job.

He suffered severe hardships and today reveals he has relied on food donations and shopping vouchers contributed by anonymous supporters in order to survive.

The affect on his health and family life has been no less traumatic.

Illness and stress have taken their toll, and Mr Morton is now trying to rebuild his life.

Mr Morton's problems began when he lifted the lid on the so-called "special charging policy" in the Department of Adult Social Services under which disabled tenants were illegally over-charged for their rent at several council-run care homes for many years.

After a series of exclusive reports in this newspaper a full inquiry was ordered, conducted by consultant Anna Klonowski.

Her examination of practices in Wirral triggered an unprecedented upheaval in the way the authority was managed.

An exodus of senior officers was followed by a new regime at the town hall, which has focused on changing a culture Ms Klonowski branded "corrosive" and "abnormal."

Mr Morton told the Globe: "It is now more than three years since a report was published that identified I had been bullied, harassed and subjected to abuse of power by Wirral Council officials.

"It was also agreed that the council would provide 'appropriate remedy' including my re-engagement.

"However, after the authority has spent a considerable amount of money on my case on a series of investigations, legal fees and compensation since I was bullied out of my job in 2008, I cannot in good conscience ever return to work for the organisation.

"I readily acknowledge that for council workers facing the threat of redundancy, this must be particularly galling to read."

He said a major consideration in this decision was detailed in a public accounts committee report published last week which stated: "whistleblowers who risk their careers to uncover wrongdoing within public services are being victimised by managers who nearly always escape sanction."

"Not only the fact that those who victimised me escaped any sanction - and indeed in some cases were rewarded with public money without the same due legal process I was expected to endure - is something that I simply cannot reconcile," said Mr Morton.

"Most importantly, I do not believe Wirral Council has changed its culture.

"I acknowledge a change in culture takes time. But I have specific examples where I am aware of ongoing cover-ups, giving the lie to any claim the council is now 'open and transparent.'

"Graham Burgess stated last November that with the endorsement of the Local Government Association, Wirral had been turned around and that 'having won the war, we must win the peace.'

"I have recently told Mr Burgess my family and I will never have any peace - but we must try to reconcile our horrendous experience and somehow start to rebuild our lives.

"Finally, I'd like to thank the Globe for their support these past six years and my family, friends and supporters - including those anonymous people who made kind donations of food, money and vouchers when times were very hard."

While this seems to be the final chapter in the saga, it may make the first pages of a new book.

"The first step I will be taking will be to complete work on a book where the full story can finally be told - unredacted and unexpurgated," Mr Morton dislcosed.

Mr Burgess said: "I regret Mr Morton feels there has been no change in Wirral Council, but many independent experts would disagree with him.

"We have in fact achieved a great deal; I am aware there is still a great deal to improve, but I am confident we will do that.

"I can see the major improvements having an effect in Wirral and those changes are supported strongly by the leader of the council, other elected members and officers and I look forward to continuing those improvements."

SPECIAL CHARGING SCANDAL:

The "special charging policy" Mr Morton exposed of elderly and vulnerable people living in homes at Bermuda Road, Curlew Way and Edgehill Road, all in Moreton, went on for seven years.

He had raised his concerns several times with his managers, but was ignored, bullied and driven out of his job.

He was paid £45,000 to leave the service and keep quiet.

Instead, in November of 2008, he approached the Globe and we helped him tell his story.

Days after our exclusive report, two senior officers were suspended but after disciplinary hearings were reinstated.

The Globe never let the "charging policy" disappear from our columns - nor the scandal that surrounded it.

At first it was denied that any such policy even existed.

But eventually, after a series of investigations, the council was forced to admit its errors and repaid 16 care home residents £450,000.

Comments (32)

Some things haven't changed, such as an attitude towards the disabled, see http://johnbrace.com
/2014/08/08/the-shoc
king-tale-of-wirral-
council-trying-to-sc
apegoat-the-disabled
-and-forcing-them-to
-pay-more-s-for-park
ing/ for what I mean.

Some things haven't changed, such as an attitude towards the disabled, see http://johnbrace.com
/2014/08/08/the-shoc
king-tale-of-wirral-
council-trying-to-sc
apegoat-the-disabled
-and-forcing-them-to
-pay-more-s-for-park
ing/ for what I mean.johnbrace

I am pleased that Mr Morton’s fight for justice has finally been resolved; at least to some degree. He is correct in saying that the regime at WBC hasn’t changed. When approached about ongoing problem issues there are those who are still hostile and brusque, think they know it all, have no empathy with the public, refuse to listen and quite simply lie. That’s based on my experience both in the past and in recent months. Mr Burgess if you believe things have changed then you don’t know what’s going on in your own organisation.

I am pleased that Mr Morton’s fight for justice has finally been resolved; at least to some degree. He is correct in saying that the regime at WBC hasn’t changed. When approached about ongoing problem issues there are those who are still hostile and brusque, think they know it all, have no empathy with the public, refuse to listen and quite simply lie. That’s based on my experience both in the past and in recent months. Mr Burgess if you believe things have changed then you don’t know what’s going on in your own organisation.Growl Tiger

"Mr Burgess said: "I regret Mr Morton feels there has been no change in Wirral Council, but many independent experts would disagree with him."

Yeah, right! From poppies on roundabouts to changes in the law about filming, the Council's first gut reaction is to be on the defensive and find a way around the truth!

"Mr Burgess said: "I regret Mr Morton feels there has been no change in Wirral Council, but many independent experts would disagree with him."
Yeah, right! From poppies on roundabouts to changes in the law about filming, the Council's first gut reaction is to be on the defensive and find a way around the truth!JohnON

If you believe the redacted AKA report then there is something seriously wrong, there was abuse in fact the now mayor admitted as such, before being ousted as leader, two senior DASS officers trousered £220,000.00 the day before the AKA report was published & between them and walked into other local authority jobs. The AKA report cost over £400.000.00 & declared as usual "THERE WAS NO CASE TO ANSWER" well what can you expect other than that reply from Wirral council after paying AKA that amount of money ^OUR'S THE RATEPAYERS MONEY"
They have no shame, officers bullied Martin out of his job just for exposing the scandal & I only hope the undisclosed damages goes some way to ease Martin's pain & suffering, What a brave man there should be a statue outside the town halls so that wrongdoers will not be tolerated
I suggest you read John Braces article where the council are taking away parking privileges from the disabled how low will Wirral stoop, read Johns blog & you will find out. They are not public servants they are bully boys.

If you believe the redacted AKA report then there is something seriously wrong, there was abuse in fact the now mayor admitted as such, before being ousted as leader, two senior DASS officers trousered £220,000.00 the day before the AKA report was published & between them and walked into other local authority jobs. The AKA report cost over £400.000.00 & declared as usual "THERE WAS NO CASE TO ANSWER" well what can you expect other than that reply from Wirral council after paying AKA that amount of money ^OUR'S THE RATEPAYERS MONEY"
They have no shame, officers bullied Martin out of his job just for exposing the scandal & I only hope the undisclosed damages goes some way to ease Martin's pain & suffering, What a brave man there should be a statue outside the town halls so that wrongdoers will not be tolerated
I suggest you read John Braces article where the council are taking away parking privileges from the disabled how low will Wirral stoop, read Johns blog & you will find out. They are not public servants they are bully boys.johnhardaker

"Most importantly, I do not believe Wirral Council has changed its culture.

Martin has told the truth all the way along and his comments about culture are indeed correct.

The treatment of whistleblowers by Wbc is disgraceful. Nothing has changed!

Wirral should take a leaf out of Martin's book! I look forward to reading it.

Best Wishes M.

"Most importantly, I do not believe Wirral Council has changed its culture.
Martin has told the truth all the way along and his comments about culture are indeed correct.
The treatment of whistleblowers by Wbc is disgraceful. Nothing has changed!
Wirral should take a leaf out of Martin's book! I look forward to reading it.
Best Wishes M.Gary Downey.

Graham Burgess, If there is an ounce of normal human feeling in your bones, you would be totally honest and freely admit that what went on was very wrong. You should also have the decency to make public all the complete reports, comments, and advice you were given, and by whom.

There should be no hiding place nor any further cover up of the abysmal inhuman treatment Mr Morton was subjected too.

The present position of Mayor should be carefully looked at and given complete fair honorable consideration as is the present incumbent a proper fit person to hold this roll.

Any failure to make a complete clean up and carry out the right remedial decisions within W B C is a total dereliction of your duties as a chief executive, and you know it.

Graham Burgess, If there is an ounce of normal human feeling in your bones, you would be totally honest and freely admit that what went on was very wrong. You should also have the decency to make public all the complete reports, comments, and advice you were given, and by whom.
There should be no hiding place nor any further cover up of the abysmal inhuman treatment Mr Morton was subjected too.
The present position of Mayor should be carefully looked at and given complete fair honorable consideration as is the present incumbent a proper fit person to hold this roll.
Any failure to make a complete clean up and carry out the right remedial decisions within W B C is a total dereliction of your duties as a chief executive, and you know it.Hugo1008

Positivethinker
should change your pseudonym to something not anyway remotely meaning `positive`or `thinker`except maybe keep the `thinker`bit because we know why you think the way you do about the published truth by the Globe and the posters you berate for also telling the truth, which of course, HURTS when you have a guilty conscience.
It is said that confession is good for the soul, perhaps you should try it, likewise all of those responsible for the DAMAGE CAUSED to Martin and his family.
Look forward to BUYING YOUR BOOK MARTIN. I hope it`s available for Christmas. I can pass on a few copies to the perpetrators.

Positivethinker
should change your pseudonym to something not anyway remotely meaning `positive`or `thinker`except maybe keep the `thinker`bit because we know why you think the way you do about the published truth by the Globe and the posters you berate for also telling the truth, which of course, HURTS when you have a guilty conscience.
It is said that confession is good for the soul, perhaps you should try it, likewise all of those responsible for the DAMAGE CAUSED to Martin and his family.
Look forward to BUYING YOUR BOOK MARTIN. I hope it`s available for Christmas. I can pass on a few copies to the perpetrators.reliant22

Methinks the "positive thinker" may actually work fir Wirral council or may even be a councillor as he/she is always seems to side with the council.
Perhaps "PT" would be honest enough to put their name to the blog????.

Methinks the "positive thinker" may actually work fir Wirral council or may even be a councillor as he/she is always seems to side with the council.
Perhaps "PT" would be honest enough to put their name to the blog????.johnhardaker

It's been a long road for Martin but trust me you are best out of it. Some nasty people still running the show and if you're not in the gang then they're not interested in you. They just take care of their own because they know they will protect them. Take the money and run and find yourself a new job. If scallywags like Fowler, Noon and Norman can do it then so can you. All the best.

It's been a long road for Martin but trust me you are best out of it. Some nasty people still running the show and if you're not in the gang then they're not interested in you. They just take care of their own because they know they will protect them. Take the money and run and find yourself a new job. If scallywags like Fowler, Noon and Norman can do it then so can you. All the best.Joeblogg85

Still keeping your name a secret I am even more convinced that you are a council employee especially with the spend, spend. spend, comments you must work for Wirral council, come admit your real identity what are you man/woman or mouse. looking forward to hearing from you.
Minus eleven is your best score yet.

Still keeping your name a secret I am even more convinced that you are a council employee especially with the spend, spend. spend, comments you must work for Wirral council, come admit your real identity what are you man/woman or mouse. looking forward to hearing from you.
Minus eleven is your best score yet.johnhardaker

Ask what you like "PT" I am a retired company director aged 67 with one son 2 grand children, drive a 270 Mercedes estate own my own 1906 5 bedroom house outright combined pension £45k what is your position in the council.love to hear if you want to know inside leg measurement please let me know. I hope Martin will reveals what he got so we can reveal who you are not unless Wirral council have used the old gagging clause.
Come on Martin lets know what Wirral gave you so we can find the true identity of "PT".

Ask what you like "PT" I am a retired company director aged 67 with one son 2 grand children, drive a 270 Mercedes estate own my own 1906 5 bedroom house outright combined pension £45k what is your position in the council.love to hear if you want to know inside leg measurement please let me know. I hope Martin will reveals what he got so we can reveal who you are not unless Wirral council have used the old gagging clause.
Come on Martin lets know what Wirral gave you so we can find the true identity of "PT".johnhardaker

For the life of me I cannot imagine what sort of person would not think that Martin is one of the best of us.To ignore what was happening would have been the easiest option,to stand by his principles and fight to right an injustice took great courage. This case more than anything else paints a true picture how WBC treats those vulnerable citizens it is paid to protect.What happened was fraud and in any other walk of life the perpetrators would have been jailed

For the life of me I cannot imagine what sort of person would not think that Martin is one of the best of us.To ignore what was happening would have been the easiest option,to stand by his principles and fight to right an injustice took great courage. This case more than anything else paints a true picture how WBC treats those vulnerable citizens it is paid to protect.What happened was fraud and in any other walk of life the perpetrators would have been jailedwater1lily

johnhardaker........
.very well written!
If `PT`is not a Labour Party Councillor/ Officer (we think GB is a LP member or was) the only other answer is a LP member/activist, most of whom have attitude problems against anyone not supporting their cause, thus believing DEMOCRACY does not count unless it`s on their terms.
Martin Morton must put his name forward at the next election.
We will campaign for you Martin. Good luck......but you won`t need it!

johnhardaker........
.very well written!
If `PT`is not a Labour Party Councillor/ Officer (we think GB is a LP member or was) the only other answer is a LP member/activist, most of whom have attitude problems against anyone not supporting their cause, thus believing DEMOCRACY does not count unless it`s on their terms.
Martin Morton must put his name forward at the next election.
We will campaign for you Martin. Good luck......but you won`t need it!reliant22

johnhardaker wrote:
Ask what you like &quot;PT" I am a retired company director aged 67 with one son 2 grand children, drive a 270 Mercedes estate own my own 1906 5 bedroom house outright combined pension £45k what is your position in the council.love to hear if you want to know inside leg measurement please let me know. I hope Martin will reveals what he got so we can reveal who you are not unless Wirral council have used the old gagging clause.
Come on Martin lets know what Wirral gave you so we can find the true identity of "PT".

John,

It will all come out in the wash. I for one believe he deserves more than the three culprits put together I mentioned earlier!

This has been going on too long. The man deserves to be left alone to pull together what's left of his life.

All the best

Joe

[quote][p][bold]johnhardaker[/bold] wrote:
Ask what you like "PT" I am a retired company director aged 67 with one son 2 grand children, drive a 270 Mercedes estate own my own 1906 5 bedroom house outright combined pension £45k what is your position in the council.love to hear if you want to know inside leg measurement please let me know. I hope Martin will reveals what he got so we can reveal who you are not unless Wirral council have used the old gagging clause.
Come on Martin lets know what Wirral gave you so we can find the true identity of "PT".[/p][/quote]John,
It will all come out in the wash. I for one believe he deserves more than the three culprits put together I mentioned earlier!
This has been going on too long. The man deserves to be left alone to pull together what's left of his life.
All the best
JoeJoeblogg85

I can think of a number of Phrases that could be attributed to the initials of P T but the word thinker does not fit the picture, Perhaps if you spell your second word instead of a "thi" perhaps "Wa" that should just about fit the bill perfectly.

On a more positive note well done Martin, your courage, determination, and fortitude has been admirable in every respect, you will have a lot of support if you decide to stand for office, and I believe you will have the support of the Globe behind you, this newspaper has been an example of honest decent journalism throughout this whole terrible mess.

I do not believe there is many Councillor's who can emerge with any pride or sign of good governance from the terrible blight that W B C and and the elected officials subjected the Wirral Population too, with this terrible scandal still not cleaned up and cleared yet.
Shame on them and to re-elect any of those involved would be lunacy.

I can think of a number of Phrases that could be attributed to the initials of P T but the word thinker does not fit the picture, Perhaps if you spell your second word instead of a "thi" perhaps "Wa" that should just about fit the bill perfectly.
On a more positive note well done Martin, your courage, determination, and fortitude has been admirable in every respect, you will have a lot of support if you decide to stand for office, and I believe you will have the support of the Globe behind you, this newspaper has been an example of honest decent journalism throughout this whole terrible mess.
I do not believe there is many Councillor's who can emerge with any pride or sign of good governance from the terrible blight that W B C and and the elected officials subjected the Wirral Population too, with this terrible scandal still not cleaned up and cleared yet.
Shame on them and to re-elect any of those involved would be lunacy.Hugo1008

It's a shame that Martin needed the publicity in the first place.Otherwise Wirral Council would have got away with systematic institutional abuse.This may not be a concern of you "Positive Thinker" but it is of those who give a ****.

It's a shame that Martin needed the publicity in the first place.Otherwise Wirral Council would have got away with systematic institutional abuse.This may not be a concern of you "Positive Thinker" but it is of those who give a ****.MX

You stood up to the Y E A R S of learning disabled abuse, overseen by the current mayor. After the council had trashed its own statutory obligations towards its vulnerable people, bullied and mobbed you, forced you out, closed ranks and did its utmost to cover its tracks, you stood strong and still held out for the people who needed that statutory protection.

Graham "Mistakes" Burgess may conveniently regard all this as one error after another...

http://goo.gl/Hc82zL

,,,but you exposed them as the deliberate, cruel and calculated acts of a broken organisation.

As for Positive Thinker, er... "what a load of tosh."

Well done Martin.
You stood up to the Y E A R S of learning disabled abuse, overseen by the current mayor. After the council had trashed its own statutory obligations towards its vulnerable people, bullied and mobbed you, forced you out, closed ranks and did its utmost to cover its tracks, you stood strong and still held out for the people who needed that statutory protection.
Graham "Mistakes" Burgess may conveniently regard all this as one error after another...
http://goo.gl/Hc82zL
,,,but you exposed them as the deliberate, cruel and calculated acts of a broken organisation.
As for Positive Thinker, er... "what a load of tosh."PaulCa

The part that I find so terrible is that the person in charge at the time when all this happened is now Mayor.

The lesson from this Council is bully lie cheat and do your best to hide the truth. If you get caught they will either give you a tidy little sum in the back pocket or make you Mayor!

But if you don't pay your council tax you will go to Jail!!!! ????

The part that I find so terrible is that the person in charge at the time when all this happened is now Mayor.
The lesson from this Council is bully lie cheat and do your best to hide the truth. If you get caught they will either give you a tidy little sum in the back pocket or make you Mayor!
But if you don't pay your council tax you will go to Jail!!!! ????WirralAl

This is not just about senior officers putting their stamp on things but also about councillors using their powers to change the local environment to suit their own needs. The councillors say what they want and the officers find a way to go along with it. That's what happened where I live.

And Mr Burgess just doesn’t get it or is he just working his way to early retirement?

And I have no way of knowing who PT is other than that person goes on line and down thumbs all of us. How pathetic is that?

This is not just about senior officers putting their stamp on things but also about councillors using their powers to change the local environment to suit their own needs. The councillors say what they want and the officers find a way to go along with it. That's what happened where I live.
And Mr Burgess just doesn’t get it or is he just working his way to early retirement?
And I have no way of knowing who PT is other than that person goes on line and down thumbs all of us. How pathetic is that?Growl Tiger

Don't know about barking up the wrong tree barking mad sounds more like it! Iam a company director I've have a big pension I've got a mercedes
I've got a house that's paid for anything else to add to your list?
you sound like one of the big wigs at the town hall with all your have
gots

Don't know about barking up the wrong tree barking mad sounds more like it! Iam a company director I've have a big pension I've got a mercedes
I've got a house that's paid for anything else to add to your list?
you sound like one of the big wigs at the town hall with all your have
gotsPositive thinker

I wonder are there any whistleblowers who are in public domain in wirral WHO are not enemies of the council hierarchy?

The Colas whistleblowers whose complaints were ultimately hosed down with whitewash? Mr Morton many of whose allegations were not reported even in AKA as being too much for the public to stomach? ISUS/BIG whistleblowers who had to spend 3 years simply to have the CEO try to rush through an ARMC meeting with the equivalent of "It's a car crash but move on, move on, nothing to see here"

All the above reported to WBC to protect the public but found that the WBC hierarchy was as hostile as those whose wrong-doings they were reporting.

I wonder are there any whistleblowers who are in public domain in wirral WHO are not enemies of the council hierarchy?
The Colas whistleblowers whose complaints were ultimately hosed down with whitewash? Mr Morton many of whose allegations were not reported even in AKA as being too much for the public to stomach? ISUS/BIG whistleblowers who had to spend 3 years simply to have the CEO try to rush through an ARMC meeting with the equivalent of "It's a car crash but move on, move on, nothing to see here"
All the above reported to WBC to protect the public but found that the WBC hierarchy was as hostile as those whose wrong-doings they were reporting.hobroW

hobroW wrote:
I wonder are there any whistleblowers who are in public domain in wirral WHO are not enemies of the council hierarchy?

The Colas whistleblowers whose complaints were ultimately hosed down with whitewash? Mr Morton many of whose allegations were not reported even in AKA as being too much for the public to stomach? ISUS/BIG whistleblowers who had to spend 3 years simply to have the CEO try to rush through an ARMC meeting with the equivalent of &quot;It's a car crash but move on, move on, nothing to see here"

All the above reported to WBC to protect the public but found that the WBC hierarchy was as hostile as those whose wrong-doings they were reporting.

I am sure there is much more to come out. When the next round of redundancies get sorted out, I will be surprised if more stories come into the public domain. There is definitely more DASS stuff and both Corporate Services and Regeneration also have lots of stuff in their collective closets. It could get pretty Uggly!

[quote][p][bold]hobroW[/bold] wrote:
I wonder are there any whistleblowers who are in public domain in wirral WHO are not enemies of the council hierarchy?
The Colas whistleblowers whose complaints were ultimately hosed down with whitewash? Mr Morton many of whose allegations were not reported even in AKA as being too much for the public to stomach? ISUS/BIG whistleblowers who had to spend 3 years simply to have the CEO try to rush through an ARMC meeting with the equivalent of "It's a car crash but move on, move on, nothing to see here"
All the above reported to WBC to protect the public but found that the WBC hierarchy was as hostile as those whose wrong-doings they were reporting.[/p][/quote]I am sure there is much more to come out. When the next round of redundancies get sorted out, I will be surprised if more stories come into the public domain. There is definitely more DASS stuff and both Corporate Services and Regeneration also have lots of stuff in their collective closets. It could get pretty Uggly!Joeblogg85

If one overpays executives it just makes them more determined not to lose the hen that lays the golfen eggs. Perhaps WBC obtuseness is another negative result of over-paying council executives.

Pay corrupts, absolute pay corrupts absolutely

If one overpays executives it just makes them more determined not to lose the hen that lays the golfen eggs. Perhaps WBC obtuseness is another negative result of over-paying council executives.
Pay corrupts, absolute pay corrupts absolutelyhobroW

I might be wrong but if a book is written and I hope it is names and all Ican see a lot of rate payers money going to highly paid solicitors to try too block the publication I can see more golden handshakes I think a vote of confidence should be taken in the council and position of mayor the majority would vote no confidence

I might be wrong but if a book is written and I hope it is names and all Ican see a lot of rate payers money going to highly paid solicitors to try too block the publication I can see more golden handshakes I think a vote of confidence should be taken in the council and position of mayor the majority would vote no confidencewoodcutter 56